New-Build Development in Cheshire 'Tops Out'.

The apartments are being built to the Code Level 3 for Sustainable Homes, with extensive energy saving features to help customers save on bills.

Social housing contractor Forrest is currently on site on a new-build social housing development project, Queens Court, in Widnes.

Forrest was appointed by Halton Housing Trust at the end of 2013 to deliver 17 one and two bed apartments which have been designed by local architect Denovo Design, with handover expected early next year.

The apartments are being built to the Code Level 3 for Sustainable Homes, with extensive energy saving features to help customers save on bills.

Queens Court is being constructed on the original site of the historic Queens Hall where some of the world’s most famous musicians like The Beatles, Stone Roses and Happy Mondays once played. The hall closed its doors to the public in 2004 and council planned its demolition in 2012 following a fire at the site.

The construction of the residential development has just reached full height, to celebrate a ‘topping out’ ceremony was held on the 11th of September, where the last few bricks were ceremonially placed following a tour of the site.

Paul Mullane, director of development and investment at Halton Housing Trust, said: “The project is a significant regeneration of a site with a rich cultural heritage which was unfortunately victim of a fire that left it unusable for a number of years.”

Ian Finney, framework director at Forrest, said: “There’s a shortage of social housing in the North West and using spaces like the former Queens Hall site, where redevelopment gives a new lease of life, helps to gives these areas an injection of new homes.”